The Americans

[Reba]

Thank you, Gordon Sinclair.

The United States dollar took another pounding on German, French and British exchanges this morning, hitting the lowest point ever known in West Germany. It has declined there by 41% since 1971 and this Canadian thinks it is time to speak up for the Americans as the most generous and possibly the least-appreciated people in all the earth.

As long as sixty years ago, when I first started to read newspapers, I read of floods on the Yellow River and the Yangtse. Who rushed in with men and money to help? The Americans did.

They have helped control floods on the Nile, the Amazon, the Ganges and the Niger. Today, the rich bottom land of the Misssissippi is under water and no foreign land has sent a dollar to help. Germany, Japan and, to a lesser extent, Britain and Italy, were lifted out of the debris of war by the Americans who poured in billions of dollars and forgave other billions in debts. None of those countries is today paying even the interest on its remaining debts to the United States.

When the franc was in danger of collapsing in 1956, it was the Americans who propped it up and their reward was to be insulted and swindled on the streets of Paris. I was there. I saw it.

When distant cities are hit by earthquakes, it is the United States that hurries into help... Managua Nicaragua is one of the most recent examples. So far this spring, 59 American communities have been flattened by tornadoes. Nobody has helped.

The Marshall Plan .. the Truman Policy ... all pumped billions upon billions of dollars into discouraged countries. Now, newspapers in those countries are writing about the decadent war-mongering Americans.

I'd like to see one of those countries that is gloating over the erosion of the United States dollar build its own airplanes.

Come on... let's hear it! Does any other country in the world have a plane to equal the Boeing Jumbo Jet, the Lockheed Tristar or the Douglas 107? If so, why don't they fly them? Why do all international lines except Russia fly American planes? Why does no other land on earth even consider putting a man or women on the moon?

You talk about Japanese technocracy and you get radios. You talk about German technocracy and you get automobiles. You talk about American technocracy and you find men on the moon, not once, but several times ... and safely home again. You talk about scandals and the Americans put theirs right in the store window for everyone to look at. Even the draft dodgers are not pursued and hounded. They are here on our streets, most of them ... unless they are breaking Canadian laws .. are getting American dollars from Ma and Pa at home to spend here.

When the Americans get out of this bind ... as they will... who could blame them if they said 'the hell with the rest of the world'. Let someone else buy the Israel bonds, Let someone else build or repair foreign dams or design foreign buildings that won't shake apart in earthquakes.

When the railways of France, Germany and India were breaking down through age, it was the Americans who rebuilt them. When the Pennsylvania Railroad and the New York Central went broke, nobody loaned them an old caboose. Both are still broke. I can name to you 5,000 times when the Americans raced to the help of other people in trouble.

Can you name me even one time when someone else raced to the Americans in trouble? I don't think there was outside help even during the San Francisco earthquake.

Our neighbours have faced it alone and I am one Canadian who is damned tired of hearing them kicked around. They will come out of this thing with their flag high. And when they do, they are entitled to thumb their nose at the lands that are gloating over their present troubles.

I hope Canada is not one of these. But there are many smug, self-righteous Canadians. And finally, the American Red Cross was told at its 48th Annual meeting in New Orleans this morning that it was broke.

This year's disasters ... with the year less than half-over… has taken it all and nobody...but nobody... has helped.

ORIGINAL SCRIPT
COURTESY STANDARD BROADCASTING CORPORATION LTD.
(c) 1973 BY GORDON SINCLAIR
The Americans - by Gordon Sinclair ©

 

[Byrdie714]

As always Reba.....

This article always brings a tear to my eye.....

 

[Jiro]

 

[Foxrac]

Gotta love to be American, yay yay...

 

[Jolie77]

This was an heartfelt message.

 

[authentic]

I just know that there will be a big change in America in positive/powerful ways, right after they helped with other countries without any return.

 

[GarnetTigerMom]

:good posting:

 

[Wokamuka]

Foreign countries do send help in regards to natural disasters.

I've seen it; the author of this article has a blind spot.

Flattering article, though.

 

[Liebling:-)))]

Foreign countries do send help in regards to natural disasters.

I've seen it; the author of this article has a blind spot.

Flattering article, though.

Amen, yes many foreign countries around the world help each other, not just America.

 

[KarissaMann05]

I don't read a whole of the first post, due to my tiredness... But, I'm actually delight to read it and, it's really nice to hear.

Also, I believe we, all countries, should help each other and make a peace... Of course, it's not so simple as you think so. Just wishful thought.

 

[Byrdie714]

Foreign countries do send help in regards to natural disasters.

I've seen it; the author of this article has a blind spot.

Flattering article, though.

Uhmm....the only disaster I am aware of when other countries helped us was Hurricane Katrina when some countries sent life sniffing dogs as well as bottles of water. ( France & Sri Lanka )

The other disaster I am also aware of is earthquakes on the west coast and it's usually Japan that comes to our aid as they have the same experience.

It's nice but this American is going to say, " It's not enough after what we have done to other countries. "

 

[PowerON]

Amen, yes many foreign countries around the world help each other, not just America.

During in 1973 and below? I don't think so.

 

[Secretblend]

Amen, yes many foreign countries around the world help each other, not just America.

Give us a link of any country that has sent aid to USA. I'm curious. I would like to see if there is one.

 

[Jiro]

Give us a link of any country that has sent aid to USA. I'm curious. I would like to see if there is one.

Just for Katrina.... here's an interesting read - Most Katrina Aid From Overseas Went Unclaimed

Of $454 million in cash that was pledged by more than 150 countries and foreign organizations, only $126 million from 40 donors was actually received. The biggest gifts were from the United Arab Emirates, $100 million; China and Bahrain, $5 million each; South Korea, $3.8 million; and Taiwan, $2 million.

Kuwait, which made the largest offer, pledged $100 million in cash and $400 million in oil. But the Kuwaitis eventually gave their money to two private groups: $25 million to the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund, a project of the former presidents, and another $25 million to the American Red Cross in February 2006. They still plan to contribute another $50 million, said the Kuwaiti ambassador to the United States, Salem Abdullah al-Jaber al-Sabah.

 

[Secretblend]

Just for Katrina.... here's an interesting read - Most Katrina Aid From Overseas Went Unclaimed

Of $454 million in cash that was pledged by more than 150 countries and foreign organizations, only $126 million from 40 donors was actually received. The biggest gifts were from the United Arab Emirates, $100 million; China and Bahrain, $5 million each; South Korea, $3.8 million; and Taiwan, $2 million.

Kuwait, which made the largest offer, pledged $100 million in cash and $400 million in oil. But the Kuwaitis eventually gave their money to two private groups: $25 million to the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund, a project of the former presidents, and another $25 million to the American Red Cross in February 2006. They still plan to contribute another $50 million, said the Kuwaiti ambassador to the United States, Salem Abdullah al-Jaber al-Sabah.

Seems like what they gave us is a drop in the bucket compared to what America have given to others over the years.

However, isn't it very sad that they promised to give us a certian amount but haven't given us half of it?

Now that I think about it. Maybe we ought to stop giving money and giving aid to others and only worry about our country inside the border and see how fast they come to us asking for help.

By doing so, we could pay down our debt awfully fast! Might even be able to have excellent universal health care. NO money to pay if we visit doctors and doctors still get rich for their time dedicated to studying and learning. Down side is, we will lose everything that we import.
Upside is, we have a can do attitude and we could start building and all the stuff we need in no time I'm sure.

 

[Byrdie714]

Just for Katrina.... here's an interesting read - Most Katrina Aid From Overseas Went Unclaimed

Of $454 million in cash that was pledged by more than 150 countries and foreign organizations, only $126 million from 40 donors was actually received. The biggest gifts were from the United Arab Emirates, $100 million; China and Bahrain, $5 million each; South Korea, $3.8 million; and Taiwan, $2 million.

Kuwait, which made the largest offer, pledged $100 million in cash and $400 million in oil. But the Kuwaitis eventually gave their money to two private groups: $25 million to the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund, a project of the former presidents, and another $25 million to the American Red Cross in February 2006. They still plan to contribute another $50 million, said the Kuwaiti ambassador to the United States, Salem Abdullah al-Jaber al-Sabah.

What?! Germany didn't help us?!

 

[Byrdie714]

Seems like what they gave us is a drop in the bucket compared to what America have given to others over the years.

However, isn't it very sad that they promised to give us a certian amount but haven't given us half of it?

Now that I think about it. Maybe we ought to stop giving money and giving aid to others and only worry about our country inside the border and see how fast they come to us asking for help.

By doing so, we could pay down our debt awfully fast! Might even be able to have excellent universal health care. NO money to pay if we visit doctors and doctors still get rich for their time dedicated to studying and learning. Down side is, we will lose everything that we import.
Upside is, we have a can do attitude and we could start building and all the stuff we need in no time I'm sure.

We can even use that money to replace our aging infrastructure such as the interstate highway system and the levees that are slowly failing along the Mississippi river......

 

[Secretblend]

We can even use that money to replace our aging infrastructure such as the interstate highway system and the levees that are slowly failing along the Mississippi river......

ohhh yea!! another plus!! we will finally get off of oil!!! and stop giving money to terrorist!

Another good plus is since we won't be getting oil, we'll be forced to finally get a good way to get around that won't be damaging to the earth.

 

[Jiro]

What?! Germany didn't help us?!

they did [click]. Here is a list of countries that offered to send aid to us:
* Afghanistan
* Argentina
* Armenia
* Australia
* Austria
* Azerbaijan
* Bahamas
* Bahrain
* Bangladesh
* Belarus
* Belgium
* Bosnia and Herzegovina
* Canada
* Chile
* People's Republic of China
* Colombia
* Cuba
* the Czech Republic
* Denmark
* Djibouti
* Dominica
* Dominican Republic
* Ecuador
* Egypt
* El Salvador
* the European Union
* Finland
* France
* Gabon
* Georgia
* Germany
* Greece
* Guatemala
* Guyana
* Honduras
* Hungary
* Iceland
* India
* Indonesia
* International Energy Agency
* International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
* Iran
* Iraq
* Republic of Ireland
* Israel
* Italy
* Jamaica
* Japan
* Jordan
* Kenya
* South Korea
* Kuwait
* Lithuania
* Luxembourg
* Malta
* Mexico
* Mongolia
* NATO
* Nepal
* the Netherlands
* New Zealand
* Nicaragua
* Nigeria
* Norway
* Organization of American States
* Oman
* OPEC
* Pakistan
* Paraguay
* Peru
* the Philippines
* Poland
* Portugal
* Qatar
* Romania
* Russia
* Saudi Arabia
* Singapore
* Slovakia
* Slovenia
* Spain
* Sri Lanka
* Sweden
* Switzerland
* Taiwan (Republic of China)
* Thailand
* Tunisia
* Turkey
* Uganda
* United Arab Emirates
* United Kingdom
* United Nations
* United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
* Venezuela
* World Health Organization

This is Germany's pledge:
Two German Army Airbus planes landed in Florida with about 25 tonnes of food rations to be transported to the disaster area. Further planes were prepared. Germany offered airlifting, vaccination, water purification, medical supplies including German air force hospital planes, emergency electrical power and pumping services. The aid was ready to go on German air force and chartered planes. A team of specialists from THW (German federal agency for technical relief) were planning technical measures and logistics in close contact with local authorities. A team of 89 flood fighting specialists and 5 medical personnel were dispatched from Ramstein Air Base to Louisiana by the American Air Force. They brought 15 high performance pumps (10 pumps with a capacity of 15,000 litres per minute and 5 pumps with a capacity of 5,000 litres per minute) and 28 vehicles.[12] On Saturday, September 10 at 4:30 p.m., the THW started the first 15,000 litre pump at pumping-station No. 19. Three other 15,000 litres pumps followed. The drainage of New Orleans would have taken much more time if these pumps and the THW specialists had not been provided.

The Minister-President of the federal state of Rhineland-Palatinate addressed a letter to the commanders of the American forces stationed in his state offering financial support to those affected by the flooding.

Another German Air Force cargo plane carrying several thousand military rations (MRE) was denied entry into US airspace since, according to US authorities, they were not certified BSE-free. This was disputed by German authorities, pointing out that they were BSE-free according to NATO rules, that US soldiers would eat them regularly during joint operations (e.g. Afghanistan) and that these meals fully complied to UN rules.

 

[Byrdie714]

they did [click]. Here is a list of countries that offered to send aid to us:
* Afghanistan
* Argentina
* Armenia
* Australia
* Austria
* Azerbaijan
* Bahamas
* Bahrain
* Bangladesh
* Belarus
* Belgium
* Bosnia and Herzegovina
* Canada
* Chile
* People's Republic of China
* Colombia
* Cuba
* the Czech Republic
* Denmark
* Djibouti
* Dominica
* Dominican Republic
* Ecuador
* Egypt
* El Salvador
* the European Union
* Finland
* France
* Gabon
* Georgia
* Germany
* Greece
* Guatemala
* Guyana
* Honduras
* Hungary
* Iceland
* India
* Indonesia
* International Energy Agency
* International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
* Iran
* Iraq
* Republic of Ireland
* Israel
* Italy
* Jamaica
* Japan
* Jordan
* Kenya
* South Korea
* Kuwait
* Lithuania
* Luxembourg
* Malta
* Mexico
* Mongolia
* NATO
* Nepal
* the Netherlands
* New Zealand
* Nicaragua
* Nigeria
* Norway
* Organization of American States
* Oman
* OPEC
* Pakistan
* Paraguay
* Peru
* the Philippines
* Poland
* Portugal
* Qatar
* Romania
* Russia
* Saudi Arabia
* Singapore
* Slovakia
* Slovenia
* Spain
* Sri Lanka
* Sweden
* Switzerland
* Taiwan (Republic of China)
* Thailand
* Tunisia
* Turkey
* Uganda
* United Arab Emirates
* United Kingdom
* United Nations
* United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
* Venezuela
* World Health Organization

This is Germany's pledge:
Two German Army Airbus planes landed in Florida with about 25 tonnes of food rations to be transported to the disaster area. Further planes were prepared. Germany offered airlifting, vaccination, water purification, medical supplies including German air force hospital planes, emergency electrical power and pumping services. The aid was ready to go on German air force and chartered planes. A team of specialists from THW (German federal agency for technical relief) were planning technical measures and logistics in close contact with local authorities. A team of 89 flood fighting specialists and 5 medical personnel were dispatched from Ramstein Air Base to Louisiana by the American Air Force. They brought 15 high performance pumps (10 pumps with a capacity of 15,000 litres per minute and 5 pumps with a capacity of 5,000 litres per minute) and 28 vehicles.[12] On Saturday, September 10 at 4:30 p.m., the THW started the first 15,000 litre pump at pumping-station No. 19. Three other 15,000 litres pumps followed. The drainage of New Orleans would have taken much more time if these pumps and the THW specialists had not been provided.

The Minister-President of the federal state of Rhineland-Palatinate addressed a letter to the commanders of the American forces stationed in his state offering financial support to those affected by the flooding.

Another German Air Force cargo plane carrying several thousand military rations (MRE) was denied entry into US airspace since, according to US authorities, they were not certified BSE-free. This was disputed by German authorities, pointing out that they were BSE-free according to NATO rules, that US soldiers would eat them regularly during joint operations (e.g. Afghanistan) and that these meals fully complied to UN rules.

That was one disaster that they helped....any others?

Probably not.